Mission

The Scottish RiteCare Early Language Program at the University Northern Iowa is an integral part of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and the Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic. Our mission is to:

Provide a nurturing, high-quality, developmentally appropriate preschool type of early education experience for young children with communication, sensory, cognitive, social, and/or motor needs and their same-age peers in a classroom environment.

Foster an environment where families are supported and welcome as valued decision makers and information providers for their child’s clinical and early education program experiences.

Create an early childhood practicum experience for graduate and undergraduate students in the Speech-language Pathology major at the University of Northern Iowa with a focus on treating preschool aged children with various communication, speech, and language delays, in a preschool type of educational setting. Students will gain experience in designing, implementing and critiquing small and large group preschool activities as well as measuring clinical outcomes in child participants.

Serve as a valuable resource for research, observation, and community outreach for the Cedar Valley Community of Northeast Iowa..

The Scottish RiteCare program provides developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for 3-5 year old children with mild to severe speech and language delays and children with special needs. Typically developing peers are also welcome in the program. Graduate student clinicians, in conjunction with a certified/licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and classroom teacher, plan curriculum using parts of the Creative Curriculum for Preschool and the Handwriting Without Tears Programs, among other individual and group based intervention approaches.

Individual speech and language therapy sessions are provided each child participant, twice weekly for 50 minute sessions. Classroom and individual treatment goals are written in conjunction so as to provide continuity throughout a child’s day and to promote increased growth in targeted areas of speech, language and communication development